Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines

Start at Hotel Le Renaie, our welcoming family-run hotel 4mi (6. 5km) from San Gimignano.

In the evening, our guide will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions. Please note: on selected dates there may two Exodus groups at Hotel Le Renaie. Our experienced team of leaders will tailor the itinerary and order of listed activities to ensure you enjoy each activity with your own small group. Where a second group is running, private transfers will be used for the additional group. If you have extra days at hand and are willing to extend your adventure, consider booking additional nights in Pisa or Florence. Speak to your Sales Consultant for more information on our 'Pre-Tour', 'Post-Tour' and 'City Extension' packages (D).

Get ready for a day full of history and nature as we explore one of the most popular sections of the Via Francigena, which links the villages of Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano. The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route that links Canterbury in the UK to Rome; the full trip takes well over 90 days, but our section is far gentler, cutting through olive groves and vineyards.

Later in the afternoon, we head to an eco-friendly wine estate near Certaldo where your discovery of Tuscan wines will be taken to the next level with a sensory and aroma experience, accompanied by mouth-watering traditional appetisers. Dinner this evening is back at the hotel, where we have time to relax a little more, perhaps with a game of billiards or another glass of local wine on the garden-view terrace (B/D).

After breakfast, we head to the centre of Siena for a day exploring this fascinating city. We have time to visit the numerous museums and stunning duomo (cathedral) and to relax in one of the many outdoor cafes in Piazza del Campo, home of the Palio horse race. Please note, shoulders should be covered when entering the cathedral. You may also like to visit the many boutiques specialising in local products and Italian fashion.

In the afternoon, we learn about Tuscan wines during a one-hour Tuscan lecture at the Tuscan Wine School. Unlike traditional wine tastings, this experience is more educational, offering in-depth insights into Tuscany's most important wines. Led by a local expert in a relaxed atmosphere, it's a chance to absorb knowledge rather than just savoring sips. Delve into the history, legends, and techniques of Tuscan winemaking, gaining a profound understanding of the region's wine culture. While it may not be your typical tasting, the lecture format ensures a comprehensive exploration of Tuscan wines, perfect for those seeking a more informative and intellectual wine experience (B/D).

Today is free to rest any tired legs at the poolside. Alternatively, your leader can advise on local chianti wine-tasting tours, cooking classes, e-bike and vespa hire or offer assistance for unguided walks or daytrips (B).

Our destination today is Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Most of the greats from the movement lived or passed through here: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli and more. Learn all about it by joining one of the free local tours, which typically take in the highlights. Join one of the morning tours and you'll have time to visit the Uffizi, an art gallery housing works by Renaissance masters, including The Birth of Venus by Botticelli and the gruesome Medusa by Caravaggio. If you do wish to visit, we recommend prebooking your ticket online to avoid lengthy queues. An ideal slot time would be around 2pm if you're joining the morning walking tour. Tickets can be purchased at www. uffizi. it/en/tickets (B/D).

After a transfer to the quaint hamlet of San Donato, we walk through farm grounds following the pathway to Montauto and on up to the medieval town of San Gimignano. The walk is not long and should take approximately three hours. The afternoon is spent exploring this beautiful town, including visits to the Palazzo Comunale, a 13th-century stone palace that's home to the Pinacoteca (Art Gallery) and 177ft (54m) tall medieval Torre Grossa.

There's free time to wander and soak up the atmosphere. Before your farewell dinner, we visit the family-run Cesani estate, which produces some of the finest wines in the region. Here we enjoy an expertly led tasting, sampling our way through three glasses accompanied by bruschetta, extra-virgin olive oil and a selection of Tuscan cheeses and charcuterie (B/D).

The trip ends after breakfast. Bid Hotel Le Renaie a fond farewell and begin your return journey home (B).